Locksmith Security Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a 'supervised' wireless alarm sensor mean?
- It requires a wired backup in case of radio interference
- It periodically transmits a check-in signal to confirm it is functional (Correct answer)
- It has a built-in camera for visual verification
- It can only be armed or disarmed by the panel
Correct answer: It periodically transmits a check-in signal to confirm it is functional
Supervised wireless sensors send periodic heartbeat signals so the panel can detect if a sensor stops communicating.
Question 2: Which alarm panel zone type is used for smoke detectors and remains active even when the system is disarmed?
- Entry/exit delay zone
- Perimeter zone
- 24-hour zone (Correct answer)
- Interior follower zone
Correct answer: 24-hour zone
A 24-hour zone is always active regardless of arm status, commonly used for life-safety devices like smoke detectors.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a duress code in an alarm system?
- To allow entry when the regular code is forgotten
- To silently alert the monitoring center while appearing to disarm normally (Correct answer)
- To lock out the keypad after multiple failed attempts
- To reset the panel after a power failure
Correct answer: To silently alert the monitoring center while appearing to disarm normally
A duress code disarms the panel normally in appearance but sends a silent distress signal to the monitoring station.
Question 4: What battery backup duration is typically required by UL standards for residential alarm panels?
- 2 hours
- 4 hours
- 8 hours
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 24 hours
UL 681 and related standards generally require 24 hours of standby power followed by sufficient alarm time for residential systems.
Question 5: Which communication path is least vulnerable to being cut by an intruder before a break-in?
- Standard POTS telephone line
- Cellular radio communicator (Correct answer)
- VoIP over broadband
- Dedicated alarm leased line
Correct answer: Cellular radio communicator
Cellular communicators use wireless networks, so cutting the phone line at the premises does not disable communication.
Question 6: A siren on an alarm system is rated in decibels (dB). What is the typical outdoor siren output for a residential system?
- 75–85 dB
- 90–100 dB
- 110–120 dB (Correct answer)
- 130–140 dB
Correct answer: 110–120 dB
Most residential outdoor sirens produce 110–120 dB to be audible at distance and deter intruders.
Question 7: What is a 'cross-zoning' strategy in alarm system design?
- Running alarm wires across multiple floors
- Requiring two detectors in the same area to trigger before activating the alarm (Correct answer)
- Connecting sensors from different zones to a single panel input
- Installing overlapping camera fields of view
Correct answer: Requiring two detectors in the same area to trigger before activating the alarm
Cross-zoning requires both a primary and secondary detector to alarm before the panel responds, dramatically reducing false alarms.
Locksmith Security Systems 3
What does a 'supervised' wireless alarm sensor mean?